Want to lose some weight over the summer? Then stay away from the barbecue: How the average meal is a 3,000 calorie binge

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Barbecue binge is a sure way to pile on the pounds, according to research

More than half of us return to the grill for seconds and a fifth for thirds

Burgers are the most popular meat treat with 32 per cent tucking in

Fish - the healthiest option - is eaten by just four per cent of diners

Health experts have warned to beware of the barbecue after it emerged the average al fresco feast is a 3,000 calorie binge.

The brief British summer may signal the start of BBQ season for most of us but calorie counters may want to think again before they take out their tongs.

And those watching their weight may want to stick to salad after the staggering calorie count of the average barbie was revealed.

Popular: They may be a great way to enjoy the sunshine, but with a high calorie content, barbecues will make you pile on the pounds

The 3,000 calories involved is the equivalent of a day and half's worth of food for a woman - and is 500 calories more than a man's daily limit.

The warning comes after Britons went barbecue crazy this summer, with 90 per cent of people enjoying an outdoor meal.

 

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Sales of the grills have doubled and charcoal sales also board, having gone up by 176 per cent.

More than half of those who go to a BBQ admit that we eat more at barbecues than we do at other meals.

Beef: A survey has revealed 32 per cent of people enjoy burgers most

Half of us go back for seconds and more than a fifth a have thirds.

Although it is the classic social setting for a summertime gathering, the classic British barbie was also revealed to be a wasteful way of feeding friends.

Of those polled by the survey, 55 per cent of people say they end up throwing away food at the end of the meal because they cooked too much.

The results came in a survey of a 1,000 people by the diet company Forza Supplements.

By far the most popular barbecue dish is the beef burger, chosen by 32 per cent of respondents.

Next came sausages chosen by 18 per cent; kebabs, 14 per cent; steak, 13 per cent; chicken drumsticks, 12 per cent and lamb chops, six per cent.

Ironically, just four per cent of diners chose fish, the healthiest and least calorific option.

The calorie binge is made worse by the fattening snacks we serve with the meat.

Nine out of ten people always serve fattening crisps, dips and potato salads with the main meal while almost half of us prefer to have ice cream as a dessert.

Fattening: While they may be the most popular, they also contain a whopping 304 calories each making them the single worst thing you can eat

Healthy: It may be one of the leaner options, but only four per cent of us choose fish. If you are going to wash it down with a glass of Pimms, it will cost you an extra 180 calories

Drinks do not look good for the dietary intake either.Lager is most popular drink, followed by coke, rose wine, white wine and lemonade.

CALORIE COUNTER

Beef burger: 304
Chicken drumstick: 304
Pasta salad: 278
Pork sausage: 151
Grilled salmon fillet: 150
Potato salad: 145
Mixed green salad: 109
Baked potato: 29
Can of Stella: 220
Glass of Pimms: 180
Glass of Pinot Grigio: 114
Glass of Coke: 105
Glass of Rose: 90
Glass of Lemonade: 50
Vanilla ice cream: 133
Fresh fruit salad: 84

Forza found that the average barbecue helping consists of two sausages, one-and-a-half burgers and two chicken drumsticks.

We then pile plates with sides of a baked potato, a helping of green salad, some pasta salad and several dollops of mayonnaise and other dressings.

Most of us have not one, but two, desserts and the average boozer drinks four bottles of lager or three glasses of wine.

Those not drinking alcohol have at least three glasses of coke or lemonade.

Forza managing director Lee Smith said: 'This summer has been the hottest since 2006, so we shouldn't complain.

'We've all been outside enjoying barbecues and they have taken a terrible toll on our waistlines.

'Although grilled meat and fish can be very healthy, most of us cancel out any benefits by eating far too much of it and we overindulge in fats and carbohydrates on the side.

'If you are a guest, you feel obliged to try all the options and are pressured by the host to eat more.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2385974/Want-lose-weight-summer-Then-stay-away-barbecue-How-average-meal-3-000-calorie-binge.html#ixzz2bIY085Cn 
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